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Six Wanggaard Bills Signed into Law
 This week, Governor Walker signed six of my bills into law. I am proud of these bills to enhance public safety, and make it easier for the average citizen to access government documents.
Senate Bill 485: It is a sad reality that the elderly and disabled are frequent targets for scam artists. Preying on the vulnerable is disgusting, and it is past time that our criminal penalties equal our outrage for these crimes. Senate Bill 485, allows an additional $10,000 fine per offense to be imposed on the guilty party for certain crimes if the victim is elderly or disabled. The list of crimes subject to additional penalties includes: timeshares, future service plans, foreclosure consultants, prize notices, mail-order sales, rental cars, and residential contractors.
Assembly Bill 497: When I heard that a child sex offender was placed next door to 11-year old twin girls, I knew the law had to change. This bill helps protect the public across the state by prohibiting the placement of sex offenders within 1,500 feet of a school, day care, park, church or youth center. If the sex offender specifically targeted adults-at-risk or elders-at-risk, placement cannot be within 1,500 feet of a nursing home or assisted-living facility. If the sex offender specifically targeted children, the sex offender may not be placed in a residence neighboring a child’s home, unless the residences are more than 1,500 feet apart. The bill also requires all efforts to place a sex offender in his or her county of residence and requires additional safeguards for victims. To ensure the public is protected, the bill also specifies the Department of Health Services must collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to ensure that any potential residential placement of the offender meets certain guidelines.
Assembly Bill 547: This bill increases the penalties for trespassing on and damage to energy provider property. Trespassing and damage to these properties goes just beyond mere vandalism and can lead to the installation of malware or a computer virus on the power grid. Damage can impact the power grid and power supply, and interrupt power to hundreds or thousands of people. As the risk and threat to our power supply grows, the potential damage grows as well. Thanks to this bill, the criminal penalties are now proportional to the crime.
Assembly Bill 633: I authored this bill to give citizens easier access to certain “vital records,” such as birth certificates and marriage licenses. Under current law, someone must go to the courthouse in the county in which the action took place, or possibly Madison to get their records. Thanks to new technology, most counties have access to a state database of these records. It makes no sense for someone to have to drive hours away to get a copy of a record that can be found down the street. This bill updates our laws to the 21st Century, by allowing any county to provide copies of vital records no matter where the event occurred.
Assembly Bill 627: Under current law, This bill helps protect the public by requiring juvenile sex offenders coming from other states to register as a sex offender in Wisconsin before entering our state. This will ensure juvenile sex offenders coming to Wisconsin to live, work, or go to school are registered in the state sex offender registry.
Assembly Bill 651: Countless studies of both teen and commercial drivers have found the use of video event recorders leads to safer driving habits and reduced collisions. Unfortunately, current state law does not allow most drivers to utilize this helpful technology. Assembly Bill 651 makes an important exemption that allows businesses and teen driver safety programs to use vehicle safety monitors, which will allow businesses to better protect their assets and increase overall safety.
These bills will help make Wisconsin a safer place to live, help shield disabled and elderly citizens from harm and make it easier for the average citizen to access government documents. I am proud of these bills, and will continue to work to increase public safety, protect the vulnerable and streamline government.
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April Weatherston Memorial Blood Drive
On March 7, the BloodCenter of Wisconsin will be hosting a blood drive in honor of April Weatherston, wife of Representative Tom Weatherston. In January, April went home to be with our Lord after a short battle with multiple myeloma. The blood drive will be held from 1:30 to 6:30 pm at Sacred Heart Parish located at 2201 Northwestern Ave. in Racine. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can sign up ahead of time by clicking here. Donors should enter the north side of the building and are asked to bring photo identification showing their birthday. April received many blood transfusions as part of her treatment, and this is an opportunity to give someone the precious gift of blood in her memory. I encourage anyone who is interested and able to attend this important event. April was a bright light who lit up the lives of those around her. It is only fitting that we honor her, and her entire family, by helping make the lives of others brighter.
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